CaptDJB
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Posts posted by CaptDJB
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Following! We are retired military and driving down for a 23 December cruise. Hubby is worried about the security of course. Would love to hear thoughts!
Hey KamiKake,
We would up pre-paying at Port of Tampa. Directly across from Terminal 3 where the Brilliance docks (RCCL's site says Terminal 2 so I verified beforehand - parking was on the 2nd floor with handy elevators).
Very easy, covered and secure. May have been able to save a bit using an off-site parking service but this was easiest IMHO.
FWIW I used Google Earth and changed the direction we came in - so we were heading South on Channelside Dr - the entrance is North of the round-about so crossing over to the entrance would have been tedious :rolleyes: If you do use the online pre-pay for Port of Tampa keep in mind no refunds (period). FB may have a discount ?? Enjoy your Cruise Holiday !! https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/PARK2/Online/default.asp
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Marti - We are aboard RCCL Brilliance Nov 10th - 14th
We're FL Residents/Retired Military/Senior etc... Tampa (Main) Parking is directly across from the Terminal ... I am also looking for a code. There are numerous less $$ however not much savings with added.. 99% aren't significantly less (Hubs said stop penny pinching) so I will post if I locate a code for the immediate/across the street.. (luggage/walking and such - GREAT for some couples - our thoughts We do not want to work that hard to get onboard! LOL ) Yes only packing light - experienced Cruisers :cool:
There are several nearby:
Some require a Taxi to and from the Cruise Terminal $3.99 p/day +++ Taxi fees. (Found $50 *LYFT* Credit applies if NEW to LYFT https://www.lyft.com/invite/FLORIDACRUISETIP?route_key=invite&v=OUT )
717 = http://cruise-parking.717parking.com/
241 is $8.99 p/day = Save 10% driver only promo code: solo (only applicable for vehicles with no passengers single person shuttle ride
241 = http://241services.com/cruise-parking
TheParkTologists aka The Parking Doctors do provide free shuttle ... so this means drop all luggage/fellow cruiser(s) at the Terminal then solo driver goes back to their parking lot for the 10% (NOT worth it for us as 4 night 10% = 3.60 :( ) Code: DRIVERONLY + $4.00 service fee booked online :rolleyes: see where this is going??
http://www.theparkingdoctors.com/tampa-cruise-parking-pricing.html
Lastly ... at least by using the main parking =confirmed and you may very well luck out with covered parking plus 24/7 security. (A LOT of construction right now in the Channelside area) https://www.tampaport.com/Cruise/Parking
IF I can locate a code for this ^^ one I'll post it :) 16 days for us !!
Now suffering from LAND SICKNESS :D
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RCCL seems to be more emphasized on Miami - imagine phone lines are jammed Hang in there CrusinFromTampa :(
Just North of Tampa here - (Next updates at 2 PM EST) I keep up with NOAA/NHC.Com WunderGround.Com and Intellicast - (Storms/Severe Weather)
Use the drop-down and "Check" Active Model Track Alerts - Severe. Flood, Marine, Tropical, Other http://www.intellicast.com/Local/WxMap.aspx
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Use Drop-Down for Layers = "Check" Alert boxes for: Active Model Track Alerts - Flood - Marine - Tropical - Other
Updates will be on NHC.Com WunderGround.Com and Intellicast at 2 PM EST
Current > : http://www.intellicast.com/Local/WxMap.aspx
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(Prototype) NHC East Coast FL Surge from Mathew (Port Canaveral is now Closed - Sailing Alerts on RCCL) ORLANDO is included in Watch - soon to be all of Central FL :( http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/153139.shtml?wsurge#contents
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Due EAST of NY there's a RED DOT .. (again WAY past any bonafide Forecast aka W.A.G
this is the MSG you'll get if you pan up and click on it:
Name: MATTHEW
Type: Hurricane
Position: 40, 71
Valid: Oct 9, 2016 2:00 PM ET
Max Winds: 80mph
Gusts: 100mph
Direction: NE
They could VERY WELL go under around etc to get to the Bahama's (keep an eye on TS Nicole tracking towards the Bahama's PFFFFT and Mathew - as they're just recovering...)
Most important ENJOY/BE Safe !
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Thanks for the intellicast.com link.
Absolutely! UPDATED at 5PM EST
These are links I use for "best guess scenario" (Notice how they slightly differ) Compare Discussions ...
( Cozumel/Costa Maya and Grand Cayman still calm and safe )
2) https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2016/Hurricane-Matthew?MR=1
3) Use the LAYERS Drop-down menu i.e: Storm Tracks/Warnings/Watches/Alerts etc
:(
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Yikes! The Oct 9 Breakaway cruise is in trouble with the most recent update. :(
Where is that going out of and date / time ?? (Sorry I had to ask - watching TOO may)
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5 PM EST UPDATES : These are links I use for "best guess scenario" (Notice how they slightly differ) Compare Discussions ...
( Cozumel/Costa Maya and Grand Cayman still calm and safe )
1) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?5-daynl#contents
2) https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2016/Hurricane-Matthew
3) Use the LAYERS Drop-down menu i.e: Storm Tracks/Alerts etc
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5 PM EST UPDATES : These are links I use for "best guess scenario" (Notice how they slightly differ) Compare Discussions ...
1) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?5-daynl#contents
2) https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2016/Hurricane-Matthew
3) Use the LAYERS Drop-down menu i.e: Storm Tracks/Alerts etc
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Cozumel / Costa Maya and even Grand Cayman had no effects..
Should very well be calm seas in the Western Carib :)
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Judging from the ship position, it looks like the Sensation ended up reversing the port order from the original change. It's in Costa Maya today instead of Cozumel.
I'm on the sailing leaving Thursday, so I've been wondering if they'll speed up to get into Miami early to beat the storm, but I'm not sure they can get in before Thursday morning coming from Costa Maya...
It would be a REALLY wild guess - leaving on Thursday
Miami (unless it picks up speed ) Mathew is there that day - not to say they won't leave and head for the Straits of FL for clear weather and smooth cruising but going against the Gulf Stream .. Expect it a bit BUMPY the 1st night ... Keep checking NHC/NOAA - WunderGround.Com = none have updated since 2PM EST Will at 5PM EST (Shortly)..
Legend is at the bottom
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/Active.aspx?storm=1&type=track
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HURRICANE WATCH/WARNINGS IN EFFECT
Use Layers and check the box for Warnings/Watches then mouse over them
Active Models and Active Tracks ...
They keep moving it Westward - click any portion of the Watch/Warning areas FL that's highlighted for information
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It'll definitely be interesting
(FIRST cruise I got Hubs on - we wound up in THREE Hurricanes ( Hanna dropped down on us even though the ship hugged the FL Coast - Ike caught us/as did Gustav Eastern Carib ) and it just went from there ..
We were used to the seas - can't say ALL enjoyed it (FWIW: Ike and Gustav formed after 3 days into the Cruise ) They can't see everything.. when leaving Port
He did actually go on a few more
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What is everyone's thoughts on flying into MCO Friday at 4:25 pm? Take my chances? Or change my flight to Thursday? We are leaving Saturday on the Magic?
Orlando SHOULD be OK, however now Mathew is picking up speed. Which could be a good thing - keep your eye on it - I'm sure you are ...
MCO FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/flyMCO/
(As always they say "Room for error after 2 day Forecast" )
Northern FL Keys are under TS Warning & East Coast up to Daytona is under a Hurricane Watch
Being a USCG Boat Captain living in FL these are the 3 .. I check daily:
1 ) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/150356.shtml?3day#contents
2) http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Bulletins.aspx?location=USFL0486
3) https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2016/Hurricane-Matthew?map=alerts
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http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do
**ALLURE
**FREEDOM
**ENCHANTMENT
**MAJESTY
Northern FL Keys and Monroe County are now in a Tropical Storm Watch
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Bulletins.aspx?location=USFL0486
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http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do
**ALLURE
**FREEDOM
**ENCHANTMENT
**MAJESTY
Northern FL Keys and Monroe County are now in a Tropical Storm Watch
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Bulletins.aspx?location=USFL0486
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Have to agree ... if you happen to be onboard right after drydock/re-fit then it's a better chance of newer mattresses
Years ago last Sovereign before she went to Spain, the Steward did the double mattress thing - again not too much help.
I'm always in a bind onboard as I sleep on a hospital bed at home. So I have to ask literally for at least 7 pillows to make it more of a reclining position.
So elevate the back, elevate the knees and one under the bumm - only way I can sleep anywhere else but home
5ft 2in 120 lbs so it's not like I'm sinking anywhere = Titanium neck/back etc will do that
I actually request that the bed not be made throughout the cruise
However I make it work !
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Oasis does not have a non smoking night in the casino since it is already half smoking/half non smoking.
Ah yes RCCL changed ALL Casino Non-Smoking Nights - guess they were loosing too much $$
I searched Smoking this is new since the last Cruise for me..
Q: When is the new policy in effect?
A: The policy will be effective for all cruises departing on or after January 1, 2014.
You may also want to know:
What is the Smoking Policy onboard?
Why is the smoking policy changing?
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Just got back. The beds visibly sagged in the middle. They looked like they should be thrown away.
I've literally had them change out the mattresses - I have a Medical Condition that I have to sleep in a "reclining" position. Extra pillows under my knees and behind my rotten back. Hubby has a Bi-Pap machine (extension cord since no outlet near the bed) so our Stewards always have to obtain these. Used to be able to give advance notification. Now they leave all of them *together* and change once you're onboard. Guess it's quicker for turnaround. After Captaining Dive Boats and Customer Service being priority ... there are the ones that work hard to keep you happy ( No way would/could I do 3 to 4 months on depending on where you're working on any given vessel) Some staff have no day off during the week.
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Going in Nov and due to previous knowledge of where the Atrium/Centrum etc PLUS the baggage elevators (after the first mistake) I always book at least one cabin away from main compartments etc. I sure hope the Solarium *not being mean* but some Parents do not keep their children out of what is supposed to be Adult (total meaning takes away *Solarium* IMHO) Last time on the Enchantment the snack bar on the Aft/Port side of the Solarium ~ guess some passengers aren't aware.
On the Freedom our 1st and 2nd Balcony are the ABSOLUTE BEST (fwd Starboard Deck 8336 and Deck 7336 those cabins are AWESOME)!
Deck 7 Hubby would go to the Promenade Deck every morning and bring me coffee WHAT a GUY !
Mariner inside Cabin 8433 was quiet as a mouse
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Regarding smoking unless it's changed since our last cruise - they had a Non Smoking night in the Casino ~ I'll review smoking policy, might well be different on different vessels. I don't smoke but do have an alternative whereas Hubby does smoke.
I had heard that about the Oasis thinking bigger meant less crowded.
Thank you for the Feedback - I still favor the Freedom :)
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Has good reviews - we live about an hour ++ north of Tampa
Debating on a cab or using http://www.theparkingdoctors.com/ as it's significantly less than Tampa Port Parking Facility.
For Hotel - agree 100% Hampton Inn Tampa / Rocky Point 3035 North Rocky Point Drive E., Tampa, FL 33607 1 855-271-3622 Lots of great reviews
Port of Tampa parking promo code
in Florida Departures
Posted · Edited by CaptDJB
Excellent ! They should have emailed a ticket to print.
Entrance is right across from Cumberland Ave #7 on Google Maps. We parked right near the elevators and they stop traffic for cruisers at the cross walk by the round-about ;) ! Enjoy !!